EU companies dodge ban on torture trade

The report, entitled From Words to Deeds, reveals that EU member states are exporting fixed wall restraints, metal "thumb cuffs" and electroshock "sleeves" and "cuffs" that torturers use to deliver 50,000-volt shocks to detainees.

It shows that these exports have continued despite the 2006 introduction of Europe-wide controls banning the international trade in policing and "security" equipment designed for torture and ill-treatment, and regulating the trade in other equipment widely used in torture around the world.

The report will be formally discussed at this Friday's meeting of the European Parliament's sub-committee on human rights in Brussels.

Amnesty UK arms programme director Oliver Sprague said: "The EU cannot apply double standards when it comes to torture.

"It cannot say that it abhors torture in all circumstances and then silently permit the transfer of weapons that are used in acts of torture."

Amnesty and the Omega Research Foundation are urging the European Commission and EU member states to close legislative loopholes highlighted in the report.

The organisations are also calling upon EU member states to adequately implement and enforce the regulation.

Omega researcher Michael Crowley said: "As part of their commitments to combat torture wherever it occurs, member states must now turn their words into deeds.

"They must impose truly effective controls on the European trade in policing and security equipment, and ensure that such goods do not become part of the torturer's toolkit."

The report found that, between 2006 and 2009, the Czech Republic issued export licences covering shackles, electric shock weapons and chemical sprays, while Germany issued licences for foot-chains and chemical sprays to nine countries where police and security forces had previously used such equipment for torture and other ill-treatment.

And law enforcement equipment suppliers in Italy and Spain have promoted 50,000-volt electric shock "cuffs" or "sleeves" for use on detainees.

A legal loophole allows them to be sold despite similar electric "stun belts" being banned for import and export across the EU.